School-age Care

Camp RCLS is located on the campus of Rochester Central Lutheran School. It is an exciting Christian camp designed for children needing care during the summer months.   Camp RCLS is available to any students in Rochester and the surrounding communities that are entering Preschool (3yrs) -5^th grade. Students entering grades 6-11 are eligible to apply for our Staff-In-Training program.

Developmentally Appropriate Activities allow children to make many of their own activity choices some of which include:

• Arts & Crafts
• Learning Activities
• Free Play
• Religious Concepts/Devotions
• Gym Games
• Outdoor Activities                    

Field Trips will be listed on monthly calendars and are group-specific. Every group will have many field trip opportunities each month. A detailed field trip handout will be available in May.  There will be a charge for each field trip.

Camp RCLS shirts will be distributed to each camper during the first week of camp. Camp shirts must be worn on all field trips.  

Monday, June 8 - Friday, August 21

Monday - Friday   6:30am- 6:00pm

The Stepping Stones SAC program is available June 1-5.  Stepping Stones will be CLOSED Friday, July 3  and Monday, August 24-Friday, August 28 

Sunscreen:  Sunscreen is provided. If you wish to have your child bring their own, please provide a labeled bottle.

Clothing/Dress:  Children need to dress appropriately for indoor and outdoor activities. Girls are asked to wear shorts under their dresses/skirts. Comfortable shoes are a must on field trip days. Each child must bring a backpack/bag labeled with their name every day. Younger children are encouraged to keep an extra set of clothing in their backpacks. All children are encouraged to keep a pair of tennis shoes in their backpacks.  Notes, lunch boxes, projects, and swim wear will be sent home in backpacks.

Items from Home: DS’s may be brought to Camp RCLS, but will only be available to the children at designated times.  No Tablets, Ipads, Ipods, Ipod touches, or cell phones will be allowed.  All items must be labeled.

Camp RCLS will not assume responsibility for damage or loss to any items brought from home. All personal property not claimed at the end of summer will be discarded. Label all items that are brought to the program.

Snacks: A snack and juice will be offered to the children in the morning. In the afternoon, children will be offered a snack and beverage. Water will be available throughout the day.

Lunches: Children will need to bring lunches from home.  Lunches will be stored in refrigerators and items heated up by staff in microwaves. Drinks will be made available during lunch. 

Field trips: On days with scheduled field trips or picnics, children must bring a cold lunch and a beverage (which on field trip days can be pop). Please send lunches in a disposable plastic bag (Gallon baggies work best) labeled with your child’s name. Please refrain from sending non-disposable containers.

Allergies: The staff must be given pertinent information by parents whose children have allergies or modified / therapeutic diet needs. If a rigid diet is required, foods must be supplied from home.

Children who are feeling ill should not be brought to Camp.  To prevent exposure of illnesses to other children, your child must be symptom free for 24 hours prior to returning to Camp.  Any child who has a fever greater than 100 degrees F., has eye discharge, or has become sick, will be sent home immediately. 

Medications: If it is necessary for children to take any type of medication during Camp hours a parent /guardian must fill out a Medication Form.  This form, along with the medication in its original container listing the prescription name and dosages, must be given to the director or a staff person.  If non-prescription medication is to be administered, a Non-prescription Form must be filled out and given to the staff.  Non-prescription medication would be medication such as cough drops or aspirin, and may not be kept by the children.  The staff at Camp is not allowed to dispense any medication without written approval (forms) from a parent/guardian.

Allergies: Please make the camp staff aware of any allergies that your child has, as well as any medications or accommodations that would be needed.

Camper Responsibilities: Campers are expected to respect their fellow campers, the Camp staff, and the property and materials at Camp RCLS. Campers must respect the staff by listening to them, notifying them of their needs, and notifying them if they need to leave the room or activity area.  Campers must show respect for their peers by not willfully harming them and using only language that is acceptable, and not profane.

Parents Responsibilities: Parents are asked to observe the rules and policies of Camp RCLS. They are asked to stay current with the calendar, sign their children in and out of the Camp program daily. Parents are asked to notify Camp if their child will not be attending on a scheduled day, and also to inform staff if their child has been exposed to, or has contracted any contagious disease. If they feel their child’s needs are not being met, parents are asked to share concerns with Camp staff or the Director, listen to any concerns that staff may have, and work with them toward a solution. Parents are also asked to keep their child’s file information updated when changes occur, and to pay tuition and submit schedules on time.

Camp RCLS Responsibilities: It is the goal of Camp RCLS to provide a stimulating, caring, Christian environment that meets the developmental needs of all the children enrolled. The Camp staff will use positive guidance to: a) help children to play cooperatively with others; b) teach children to behave in an agreeable manner; c) help children to learn self-control. They will maintain open communications with parents. In cases of emergency, or if a child is experiencing any difficulties with the program, parents will be contacted. Parents will be notified of any changes in Camp policies, procedures, or schedules. The staff will keep parents informed of events by means of a calendar, newsletter, and daily schedule. The staff must report suspected cases of child abuse as required by MN Law.

1. Camp staff will talk to the child about the problem behavior, explaining the reasons why the behavior is inappropriate.
2. Camp staff will notify the parent either verbally or with a behavior slip.
3. Director will meet with the child.
4. Director will conference with the parent and the child will be sent home for the day.
5. Director and parent(s) will meet to determine if the child needs to be removed from the program.

Who should report child abuse and neglect?

• Any person may voluntarily report abuse or neglect.
• If you work with children in a licensed facility is legally required or mandated to report and cannot shift the responsibility of reporting to your supervisor or to anyone else at the licensed facility.  If you know or have reason to believe a child is being or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years you must immediately (within 24 hours) make a report to an outside agency.

Where to report

• If you know or suspect that a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
• All reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring in a licensed facility should be made to the Dept. of Human Services, Licensing Division’s Maltreatment Intake line at (651) 297-4123.
• Reports regarding incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring within a family or in the community should be made to the local county social services agency at (507) 285-7009, or local law enforcement at (507) 285-8580.
• If you report does not involve possible abuse or neglect, but does involve possible violations of MN Statutes or Rules that govern the facility, you should call the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division at (651) 296-3971.

What to report

• Definitions of maltreatment are contained in the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act (MN Statutes, section 626.556) and should be attached to this policy.
• A report to any of the above agencies should contain enough information to identify the child involved, any persons responsible for the abuse or neglect (if known), and the nature and extent of the maltreatment and/or possible licensing violations. For reports concerning suspected abuse and/or neglect occurring within a licensed facility, the reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility, the report should include any actions taken by the facility in response to the incident.
• An oral report of suspected abuse or neglect made to one of the above agencies by a mandated reporter must be followed by a written report to the same agency within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays.

Retaliation Prohibited - An employer of any mandated reporter shall not retaliate against the mandated reporter for reports made in good faith or against a child with respect to whom the report is made. The Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act contains specific provisions regarding civil actions that can be initiated by mandated reporters who believe that retaliation has occurred.

Failure to report - A mandated reporter who knows or has reason to believe a child is or has been neglected or physically or sexually abuse and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, a mandated reporter who fails to report maltreatment that is found to be serious or recurring maltreatment may be disqualified from employment in positions allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from programs licensed by the Department of Human Services, and by the MN Department of Health, and unlicensed Personal Care Provider Organizations.

These reporting policies and procedures must be provided to parents of all children at the time of enrollment in the child care program and must be made available upon request. The Division of Licensing recommends that parents with children currently enrolled in your child care program are informed of the development of the reporting policies and procedures, and provided with an opportunity to request the information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Monday-Friday
Mornings: 6:30am-7:30am Afternoons 2:45pm-6:00pm
Non-School Days: 6:30am-6:00pm
Stepping Stones is CLOSED on the following days:
Friday, September 1st, 2017 Monday, December 25th, 2017
Monday, September 4th, 2017 Monday-Tuesday, January 1st-2nd, 2018 Friday, October 6th, 2017 Friday, March 30th, 2018
Weds-Friday, November 22nd-24th, 2017 Monday, May 28th, 2018
Friday, December 22nd, 2017 Friday, June 1st, 2018

Parents may register their child for school year care beginning in August. Registration will be offered during the RCLS School Registration Day and also during ECDC Orientation. Parents may also register at any time during the school year by contacting the Director. The following must be completed, signed, and submitted prior to your child’s participation in the School Age Care program:

• Non-refundable SAC family registration fee-- $35.00
• September Schedule Form
• Stepping Stones Needs Sheet
• Student Enrollment Form

Any outstanding Stepping Stones balances must be paid in full.

Fees
$4.00 per hour

Children will be charged for each half hour segment that they are at Stepping Stones.

Non-school & Inclement Weather Days
Full Day $32.00
Half Day $16.00

In the event that school is closed because of inclement weather or a utility emergency the following procedures will be implemented:

• When RCLS is closed for the entire day SAC will be available from 8 am – 5 pm.
• When RCLS opens late SAC will open at 8 am (and close at 6pm-the usual time).
• When RCLS dismisses early SAC will not be available.
• If the Governor closes all MN schools SAC will also be closed.
• If Rochester Central Lutheran is closed due to utilities problems SAC will also be closed.

RCLS Preschool acts in accordance with MN State Law which states that physicians, teachers, health care professionals, law enforcement officers and people who work professionally with children are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect cases immediately. By law, RCLS Preschool staff members are required to report suspected physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect to the local Children's Protection Agency, Police Department, or County Sheriff. Staff must immediately report suspected cases committed by a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the child's care. A report must also be made to Children's Protection Service if a professional has knowledge of, or reason to believe that a pregnant woman has used a controlled substance for non-medical purposes. The confidentiality of involved children and parents will be respected. RCLS-ECDC personnel are trained in detecting child abuse and neglect with emphasis on recognition of physical and behavioral indicators, documentation of observations and reporting procedures.

Who Should Report Child Abuse and Neglect?

• Any person may voluntarily report abuse or neglect.
• If you work with children in a licensed facility, you are legally required or mandated to report and cannot shift the responsibility of reporting to your supervisor or to anyone else at your licensed facility.
• If you know or have reason to believe a child is being or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years you must immediately (within 24 hours) make a report to an outside agency.

Where to Report

• If you know or suspect that a child is in immediate danger call 911.
• All reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring in a licensed facility should be made to the Dept. of Human Services, Licensing Division's Maltreatment Intake line at 651-297-4123.
• Reports regarding incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring within a family or in the community should be made to the local county social services agency at 507-285-7009 or local law enforcement at 507-285-8580.
• If your report does not involve possible abuse or neglect, but does involve possible violations of MN Statutes or Rules that govern the facility, you should call the Dept. of Human Services, Licensing Division at 651-296-3971.

What to Report

• Definitions of maltreatment are contained in the Reporting of maltreatment of Minors Act (MN Statutes, section 626.556) and should be attached to this policy.
• A report to any of the above agencies should contain enough information to identify the child involved, any persons responsible for the abuse or neglect (if known), and the nature and extent of the maltreatment and/or possible licensing violations. For reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility the report should include any actions taken by the facility in response to the incident.
• An oral report of suspected abuse or neglect made to one of the above agencies by a mandated reporter must be followed by a written report to the same agency within 72 hours exclusive of weekends and holidays.

Retaliation Prohibited: An employer of any mandated reporter shall not retaliate against the mandated reporter for reports made in good faith or against a child with respect to whom the report is made. The Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act contains specific provisions regarding civil actions that can be initiated by mandated reporters who believe that retaliation has occurred.

Failure to Report: A mandated reporter who knows or has reasons to believe a child is or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, a mandated reporter who fails to report maltreatment that is found to be serious or recurring maltreatment may be disqualified from employment in positions allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from programs licensed by the Dept. of Human Services and by the MN Dept. of Health and unlicensed Personal Care Provider Organizations.